Govt urged to use peace missions to boost food exports

The Federal Government can use peace missions to boost food exports, according to an agriculturist, Dr Kola Adebayo.

Adebayo, the Project Manager, Cassava Adding Value (C:AVA), said the government should take advantage of such missions to promote food trade because of their advantage to local producers.

Opportunities, he said, exist for Nigerian firms in the agrifood businesses to take advantage of the growing consumer base in places such as Mali by producing high quality food products.

Adebayo said Mali and other troubled spots need more food after their crises to meet the needs of a growing population.

Adebayo said the policy should be long-term, urging the government to link the export trade directly with producers to help both sectors.

Exporters of agricultural and value-added products, he said, should note the World Trade Organisation’s (WT’s) agreement on sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), to avoid the rejection of their export consignments.

SPS and food safety, he said were major factors in export and that safety measures at every stage of the food supply chain, from production to value addition need to be taken care of.

Standards, such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) in food safety, good manufacturing practices (GMP) and good retail practices (GRP),the don noted, need to be recognised to ensure the availability of safe food.

According to him, standards of products, hygiene, additives and pesticide residues are some factors which affect the trade, and therefore the up gradation of the laboratory facilities to check them would help in the export of quality products.

He said public expenditure focusing on the rural areas and risk mitigation policies are also important.

He called on the government to infuse more money into the purchase of storage.